Having Bible knowledge and understanding is great, however if the scriptures are not living and active in our lives, it is all in vain (Hebrews 4:12-13). The life application selections contain thoughts provoking, real life challenges that will prayerfully transform us to be more like Jesus in our spiritual journey. James 1:23-27 challenges us to not just merely listen or read the scriptures, it says “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” Do not miss your blessings my friends!
To him who overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I also overcame and am set down with my father in his throne.
As you wake up this Christmas morning, meditate on these scriptures. When you think of your relationship with Jesus, as you meditate upon the stormy and sunny days you have endured this past twelve months, can you see how he has been the protective hand in your life? “The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me” (Psalm 116:6 NIV). “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10 NIV).
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
This message from God to the nation of Israel during one of many disobedient eras in their lives, reminds me of Peter in Acts 2: 36-41 letting the people know how to enter the rest and salvation of God through Jesus Christ. We often want the quietness and trust from God, but we don't want to do the work. God says in repentance and rest was the Israelites’ salvation.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
I went for a prayer walk pouring my heart out to God regarding some fears that were heavily crunching my spirit. As I began to confess my worries to God, all these scriptures about his promises flooded my mind. I began to smile and cry as the Holy Spirit reminded me that I am covered by the blood of Jesus. In that moment, I could only groan as the spirit interceded on my behalf for the remainder of the prayer walk.
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
I want to be like Jesus! This statement sounds like a cliché as we often say it during our Christian walk. If you choose to be a student of Jesus, the desire to be like him ought to be our life until we stand for the final judgement. What does it mean to be born again? As I was working at my desk one morning pondering on a statement I read about Jesus, the Spirit prompted me to say out loud ‘I want to be like Jesus.’ I asked myself, what does that mean?
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Have you ever struggled with having faith that God can do miracles for others but when it comes to your life, the lies and doubts from the enemy fills your mind? When my journey with the Lord ends, I am confident that he will not charge me for lack of faith in his ability to do or allow things to happen for the world and people around me. My struggle is, will he do it for me? During a recent transition in my life, the Lord taught me a lesson about my character that I will never forget.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
This week we will be celebrating Thanksgiving in the United States. I hope every day is a Thanksgiving Day for each of us because Jesus died and rose from the dead so that we can be set free from the bondage of sins. That is a gift we should be thankful for every day! Nonetheless, it is something special when a nation allows a national day to focus on gratitude! Let us make every effort in this season of thankfulness to be set apart by striving to draw near to Christ through our words, actions, and service to others.
